Electricity: common rules for the internal market

The plenary assembly adopted the report by Mr Claude Desama (PSE, B) and confirmed the main approach set out by the Committee on Energy, Research and Technology. Harmonisation would initially be given precedence over liberalisation, whilst liberalisation would occur over a transitional period finishing at the end of 1998. Harmonisation involved establishing common rules on production, transport and distribution (electricity) together with storage, transport and distribution (gas). It included defining rules for the organisation and operation of these sectors, tasks of general interest and access to the market. It particularly targeted environmental protection, taxation and transparent accounting.�